Gujarat passes bill against cow slaughter

By Our Special Correspondent

GANDHINAGAR, MARCH 29. The Gujarat Assembly today unanimously passed an amendment Bill declaring cow slaughter illegal and punishable in the State under the draconian Prevention of Anti- Social Activities Act (PASA).

This is in keeping with the BJP Government's election promise. The Opposition Congress(I) members not only whole- heartedly supported the measures, but were virtually vying with the BJP members to prove that they were greater lovers of cows and were more concerned about preventing illegal slaughter.

The lone dissent came from an Independent member, Mr. Usmangani Devdiwala, one of the two minority community members. He supported the protection of cows and its progeny but expressed concern over the harassment of the minority community in the name of cow protection. The Congress(I) members, including the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Amarsinh Chaudhary, urged the Government to ensure that Sangh Parivar activists were not allowed to take law into their own hands and harass the minority community. He cited the recent incidents in Ahmedabad and some other parts of the State on the eve of Bakrid when self-styled protectors of cows caused a riot in which at least one person was killed. While the amendment Bill has also brought under its purview invocation of the PASA against gambling dens, the debate in the House was mostly focussed on cow slaughter with all sections of the House justifying the PASA.

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Section  : Regional
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